Sunday, February 9, 2025
39.3 F
Roseville

Depression Her Most Challenging Disability

Almost overnight in 1969, “Mary” (not her real name) lost most of the sight in her right eye at age 13 due to glaucoma and soon would lose nearly all sight in both eyes.

Yet her biggest challenge in life hasn’t been from being blind, but with disabling severe depression.

“It started when I became angry and frustrated because of my visual impairment,” said 58-year-old Mary of her teenage years. “I blamed God for making me this way. The loss of sight had come suddenly. In school, I was teased about being blind, which didn’t help. It was hard to make friends.”

Over the years, she would have dozens of episodes of severe depression, with some episodes lasting up to two months.

She said, “When in a depressed mood, I feel hopeless, dark, and as if I’ll be unable to recover. I’ve had instances in which I tried to take my life by swallowing pills or starving myself.”

In 1999, she quit her job as a data entry worker-not because of blindness, but due to depression. She had been seeking hospitalization on a regular basis because of having three to four depressive episodes annually. As a last resort to help break her depressed moods, doctors sometimes used electric shock therapy. Her prognosis seemed grim.

She said, “People often told me to pull myself up (by the bootstraps) and get over it, and for a while I thought I could.” So she periodically decided to go off medication, in addition because of the high cost and unpleasant side effects, such as weight gain and fatigue. As a result, like clockwork, the depression returned.

Today, she no longer goes off her medication, and her life has improved greatly. She said, “Over the last seven years, the depressive episodes have been shorter and shorter. I haven’t been hospitalized in that time frame. Also, my understanding the way I experience depression as a chemical imbalance has helped the last couple years, too.”

In addition, she credits faith and prayer, support from friends and a listening daughter, and her husband, who helps her get back on track when she feels her mood spiraling down. She has become much better at being aware of downward spirals and of finding people to help. She hasn’t had a depressive episode in almost a year, and hasn’t contemplated suicide in more than five years.



Brighter Side

Trending

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Topics

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Roseville Today Super Bowl party picks for Eagles and Chiefs game

Roseville, Calif.- This Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. A super-sized rematch and unofficial national holiday of $8 million dollar commercials, food and drink and a little football.

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin, Calif.

All American Sweeping Co. in Roseville

All American Sweeping's objective is to provide personalized customer service with an emphasis on professionalism, communication, responsiveness and quality at a fair price

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Stanford Ranch Family Dentistry in Rocklin serving the local community since 2000

Rocklin, Calif.- For nearly 24 years, Jason and Heather have grown their successful Stanford Ranch Family Dentistry practice by faithfully serving patients throughout the Rocklin, Roseville, and greater South Placer County region. Their business has grown to now employ over a dozen employees which helps them meet the growing demands of a successful local business.

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center emphasizes the use of prevention and natural therapeutics

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is a professional primary care natural medicine committed to helping all people reach their full potential – mind, body and spirit.

California Recovery Center in Roseville offers treatment for substance abuse and mental health

California Recovery Center (CRC) is a treatment provider for adults with substance abuse and mental health condition, located in Roseville and serving the greater Sacramento region.